Kilimanjaro Climbing-Shira Route 8 Day Itinerary, this is the 8 days route approaches the summit from the west via Barafu camp and Stella Point, before descending via the Mweka Route and Millennium camp. We walk across an alpine plateau and pass through the caldera of Shira volcano and exploring the rock formations of the plateau.
The 8 days route gives a complete maximum time to acclimatization and also gives the perfect view of the glaciers on the crater rim, before joining with other routes and making the final ascent to the top.
Total trip duration is 10 days.
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Arusha
Arrive anytime at Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). We will arrange a private transfer from Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). To Arusha at Ilboru Safari Lodge, where the rest of the day is at leisure. We stay at Ilboru Safari Lodge, which is beautifully located on the slope of Mt. Meru and is a perfect place to prepare for your adventure.
We will gather in the hotel for a pre-climb briefing and an equipment check.
We will also confirm you have the appropriate mandatory medical coverage and travel insurance.
Day 2: Shira One Camp (Full board)
After breakfast at the hotel in Arusha, we drive approximately 2 hours through the rural countryside to the Londrossi Gate. For the necessary park registration formalities at the Londorossi National Park gate, we drive a short distance on a steep track through farmland and plantations to the starting of Shira Route. We start our ascent along the shrub forests the trail climbs steadily with wide views of Kibo Icefield to reach the rim of the Shira Plateau.
Londrossi Gate to Shira One Camp (3550 m): 4-5 hours walking.
Day 3: Shira Hut (Full board)
Today we follow an easy path to the summit of Shira Cathedral before reaching the next camp at Shira Hut.
As this camp is quite exposed, it can be substantially colder than the previous night, with temperatures dropping to well below freezing.
Shira Camp One to Shira Hut (3,840 m): 4-5 hours walking
Day 4: Moir Hut (Full Board)
In the morning we cross part of the plateau through lush of heather and moorland then into expensive high Savannah desert before reach moir hut in the alpine zone. For extra acclimatization one can take walk around for the higher lands around the camp; views are superb. Lunch will be served at Fisher camp.
The afternoon will be the acclimatization walk up onto the Lent Hills, the summit of which is at 4,700 metres.
Shira Hut to Moir Hut (4,200m): 3-4 hours walking.
Day 5: Barranco Valley (Full Board)
Today we walk on a gentle ascent and panoramic views. We traverse the southwest side of Kilimanjaro, passing underneath the Lava Tower and the final section of the Western Breach and after hot lunch the bottom of the Lava Tower (4,600 m.) we descend to the bottom of the Great Barranco valley (3,900 m.).
Moir Hut to Barranco valley (3,900 m.): 5-7 hours walking.
Day 6: Karanga Camp (Full Board)
A steep climb up the eastern wall leads us just below the Heim Glacier, where we may have some spectacular views of Kilimanjaro. We then take a steep exit up the Great Barranco Wall, which divides us from the southeastern slopes of Kibo, the trail continues down into the alpine desert of the Karanga Valley, finally we have a steep climb up to Karanga Camp
Barranco Valley to Karanga camp (4,000 m): 4-5 hours walking.
Day 7: Barafu Camp (Full Board)
Today we take the Traverse Route that takes up the Barafu Ridge, we walk up quite slowly to the final camp before your last ascent day to the summit.
The remainder of the day is spent relaxing in preparation for the final ascent before a very early night.
Karanga Camp to Barafu Camp (4,600 m): 3-4 hours walking.
Day 8: Summit to Mweka Camp (Full Board)
Wake up before midnight in the cover of darkness. We begin a steep climb over loose volcanic scree has some well-graded zig-zags and a slow but steady pace will take us to rim of the main crater, Stella Point, at 5,735m. We will rest there for few minutes to enjoy the sunrise over Mawenzi. Those who are still feeling good can continue slowly to make the two hour round trip from here along the crater rim to main peak (5,895 m), which is the highest point in Africa. After a few minutes to appreciate your accomplishment we descend to Barafu is amazingly fast, and we stop at Barafu Camp for some refreshment, we continue to descend to reach Mweka Camp.
Barafu Camp to Summit to Mweka Camp (3100 m): 13-15 hours walking.
Day 9: Mweka Gate to Arusha (Full Board)
A gentle walk takes us down through the rainforest to Mweka gate successful climbers will receive their summit certificates. After lunch we drive back to Arusha at Ilboru Safari Lodge.
Mweka Camp to Mweka Gate: 3-5 hours walking.
Day 10: Departure
Arusha to Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO) Private departure transfer is included
Safety
Success is what we want during our trip. We are prepared for any urgent situation and also have in place a complete evacuation procedure in case of altitude sickness. We carry first aid supplies, supplement summit oxygen and Pulse Oximeters).
Travel insurance
all customers travelling with Tanzania On Foot are required to have fully comprehensive travel insurance.
The policy needs to be valid from the date that the initial order is placed so as to provide cover for a cancellation prior to departure.
During travel the insurance needs to provide comprehensive medical, evacuation and repatriation cover.
